Living with Atrial Fibrillation: What are Your Experiences?

@eboheart you might want to pick up a copy of The Afib Cure by John Day and another cardiologist. May not offer a "cure" but lots of good suggestions for mitigating.

@lindy9 I gave up a lot of foods 20 years ago, long before afib. The problem just isn't that simple for many.

I believe in getting info on my health problems and to get rid of the root cause, not mask with drugs and then have as bad or worse problems. Have been doing this since age 21 and now 76. You mentioned rashes. I have discovered for my exzema or psoriasis or just plain itching like a crazy person, the following helps.

If you eliminate refined sugar, too many fruits, anything containing wheat, and dairy, Chocolate.

Eliminating foods you love takes commitment as they are addictive. But when you can't sleep for hours some nights, or miserable in the day, you decide to choose health instead of something very yummy going down the hatch for a few minutes of pleasure. No cream or med does anything but make pharma rich and stealk your money.

Presently existing on side effects caused by medications to handle afib quality of life miserable at best unending quests for Dr's. Who will listen enough to help than just write more prescriptions not all drugs regardless of percentile of tolerability for everyone have seen one person diagnosed with dementia put in home started removing meds started remembering people could walk have pertinent discussions write I believe she was 92 yrs. Old I'm 67 short memory loss loss of vision rashes feels like hands getting arthritis maybe gout in foot could write book year ago upset went off meds symptoms went away not advising anyone to do that maybe could be fatal I had to know went back on meds symptoms back if I keep body alive long enough maybe will find doctor paid enough with time enough to do what my body needs to minimize side effects and allow me to continue being an addition to world rather than a hinderance

If you live near and can travel to Raleigh, NC, contact this office to send your test results, especially the latest echo, to the great cardiac surgeon, Dr. Byron Boulton; set up a consultation visit, perhaps by phone. He is director of the WakeMed Structural Heart Program at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC. Phone (919) 231-6333. He repaired my mitral valve, serious regurgitation problem, and did an ablation to cure my AFIB. That was over two years ago, and I am as fine as wine, off all meds too. I am an 80-year-old male, just a kid.

I am 78 with AFib and am waiting for an ablation booking for my ongoing palpitations. I’ve had them since 2016 and am now noticing an increase in them. The last month I have noticed if I do any jobs around the house that take time and effort I start to sweat ( which I don’t normally do) and later on my blood pressure drops, I want to faint and the palpitations start up - this up and down of the blood pressure and wanting to faint goes on for half a day. So this indicates to me that the AFib is getting worse and that I hope I get the ablation soon - it’s a 3 to 6 month wait for an actual date. I guess no more lengthy jobs around the house! Ha!

My best friend was 83. She had no health problems. But her family was trying to pressure her to go in a home. SO she went to the doctor for tests to prove to her family that she was ok. One number was a little high, so he put her on blood pressure meds. The caused her legs to swell up, so they put her on diuretic, and the list goes on. Within a very few months, she had to have one of those containers with all her meds for the day.
I looked up her meds and they were the CAUSE of all her negative symptoms. I encouraged her to wean off of them, but she didn't.
The last neg side effect was depression which she never had. She lost her will to live, closed her eyes and refused to eat and died shortly after.
That is what happens when you get on the big pharma trolly to sickness and death I have also read that the higher your cholesterol is, the longer you live. Mine has been close to 300 for years and I take no meds whatsoever and am 76 yrs old.
I also had afib for years but discovered the CAUSE was caffeine.l Even a little set me off.
Take what I say with a grain of salt but not too many grains. LOL That is my 2 cents of advice.;

Thank you all for your input. Although I have never felt any effects of a fib in my chest, I find it difficult to say my cardiologists is not right.
He has to look out for my welfare and I suppose if I were him I would prescribe the blood thinner To prevent clots. Thank you Janet 23 for your recommendation, I will get that book And ask my cardiologist advice on its recommendations.

Has your pulsatile tinnitus been evaluated?

Run, don’t walk. Get an ablation.

I'm 87, have had afib many yrs. Had to get a pacemaker to keep my pulse rate at 60 or above. Am now on my second pacemaker. Only the last few yrs my afib is now permanent & persistant. Also have pulsating tenitus which gets very irratiting & loud when afib having is a fit. Am on pradaxa blood thinner, blood pressure med, colrestal, & water pills. I get easily tired so have to really pace myself. Arthritus isnt helping either. Any comments?